Board to Use Drop-Out Survey Results

An organization that focuses on workforce development in southeast Iowa says it has a better idea of why local students drop out of school.

The Regional Workforce Investment Board (RWIB) also says it is ready to put that knowledge to work.

The board works directly with Iowa Workforce Development. Its members are representatives of local governments, industries, education and labor.

Chairwoman Janet Fife-LaFrenz says building the workforce is critical because of the need to replace retiring baby-boomers.

She says that becomes more difficult as drop-out rates increase.

Fife-LaFrenz says that is why the RWIB commissioned a survey on the subject.

She says the firm in charge of the project met with individuals who have dropped out of a Des Moines County high school (Burlington, West Burlington, Mediapolis, Danville) and are looking for work or job training.

They talked about why the student dropped out and what factors played into the decision.